mother's day 2019

11 best Houston brunch spots sure to make Mom smile on Mother's Day

Sunday, May 12 is all about Mom. Across Houston, restaurants are offerings meals and deals to help celebrate the lady who makes every day special.

With that in mind, here are 11 brunch picks sure to make her smile. Expect swanky hotel spreads, intimate affairs, and even a unique shopping spree.

ARA at the Royal Sonesta
Moms eat for free in this swanky hotel dining room, and can choose between prime rib or salmon at brunch or dinner. A two-course meal will cost everyone else $29 per person; upgrade to three courses for an additional $10. Reservations can be made for seatings between 10:30 am and 2 pm or between 5 and 10 pm. 2222 West Loop S.; 713-627-7600

Backstreet Café
Brunch at this beloved River Oaks favorite is a special three-course menu designed with mom in mind, accompanied by jazz from Bob Chadwick. The menu includes lemon-blueberry muffins to share, grilled peach salad, oyster chowder, soft-shell crab eggs Benedict, bacon-wrapped scallops and the restaurant’s Perfect Chocolate Cake. The cost is $49 per person for adults and $15 per child. Limited reservations are available between 10 am and 3 pm. 1103 S. Shepherd Dr.; 713-521-2239

Brasserie du Parc
The downtown French favorite has a three-course brunch available. First course selections include lobster bisque, tomato salad and deviled eggs. For a second course, choose from among roasted leg of lamb served with pommes mousseline, spring vegetables and garlic thyme au jus, or eggs Benedict with smoked salmon or bacon, creamy spinach, English muffins, sautéed potatoes and a citrus Hollandaise sauce. For dessert, there are options like pistachio custard made with soft meringue and topped with a caramel drizzle and toasted almonds, and vanilla panna cotta, served with fresh berries, strawberry syrup and almond crumble. The cost is $55 per person and reservations are highly recommended. 1440 Lamar St..; 832-879-2802

Kiran’s
This upscale Indian restaurant offers a four-course Mother’s Day brunch for $75 per person. To begin, choose from Sambar, Idli, which is a lentil stew, or a baked egg with goat cheese and wild mushrooms. First course options include lettuce wraps with shrimp or chilli paneer, while entrée selections have items such as a tandoori Cornish hen, wild Alaskan halibut or lamb keema. For dessert, there is brown butter Texas pecan tart or fresh fruit popsicles. Naan is provided for the table, and a special children’s menu is also available. Reservations are available between 10:30 am and 2 pm. 2925 Richmond Ave. 713-960-8472

La Table
The luxe, Galleria-area French restaurant has a special Mother’s Day Grand Brunch upstairs in its Château. Breakfast will be served family-style, including a pastry basket, scrambled eggs, seasonal fruit plate, buttermilk pancakes, “La Table” orange brioche French toast, chicken apple sausage, Applewood smoked bacon, and roasted heirloom potato hash. There are also special food stations, with items like a raw bar, cheese and charcuterie, salad display, carving station and a pastry corner with desserts. The cost is $85 for adults and $35 for children. Reservations are highly recommended. 1800 Post Oak Blvd.; 713-439-1000

Marvino’s Italian Kitchen
A special three-course pre-fix brunch is available at this family-friendly Cypress spot. First course options include fried green tomatoes or Marvin’s green salad; while the second course has selections such as grilled salmon “Oscar” style, filet mignon and eggs, and linguine pescatore. For dessert, there’s strawberry cheesecake or crème brulee. The cost is $36 per person and brunch is available from 9 am to 3 pm Call for reservations. 24002 Northwest Fwy., 832-220-7200

Mastrantos
This Heights restaurant has a special a la carte brunch menu available, with options such as the Pastry Board, three daily pastry selections with house jam; Ohh my Arepas, grilled corn patties and house scramble, served with avocado and Venezuelan cilantro salsa; and the Ancho Flank Bowl with ancho pepper rub, sunny-side-up eggs, steamed rice and white vinegar, and cucumber kimchi. Pair those with Mimosas made with a blend of passion fruit, orange juice and blood orange Juice, Sangria or a Prosseco-based Passion Fruit Serrano Mint Spritzer. Reservations are recommended. 927 Studewood St., 346-227-8458

Quattro at Four Seasons
The downtown hotel’s signature (and massive) Sunday brunch spread features more than 75 buffet items. Look for the classic breakfast stations like an omelet bar and made-to-order crepes; meaty carving stations; raw bar with a fresh selection of oysters, shrimp, crab claws and sushi; assorted caviar selection served with poached eggs and fresh beilinis; a pasta station; assorted housemade desserts with a chocolate fountain, and a kids corner. In addition to brunch, Quattro will also feature new seasonal cocktails ; treat mom to a Lavender Sour or a Cucumber Agua Fresca. Brunch starts at 10 am with last seating at 2:30 pm. $120 per person; $60 for children ages 5 to 12. 1300 Lamar St., 713-276-4700

Rainbow Lodge
A special three-course brunch menu is available from 10:30 am to 3 pm Choose from selections such as spring lettuce and Gorgonzola salad, Caesar salad, smoked duck gumbo, Texas quail bites, a crabmeat omelette, braised buffalo short rib Benedict, rainbow trout filet and lobster risotto, as well as a choice of dessert. The cost is $55 per person and reservations are recommended. 2011 Ella Blvd., 713-861-8666

Revival Market
The Heights favorite offers its regular selections with a bit of a twist. The restaurant will host a special Mother’s Day Market, where local artisans showcase their wares. Mom can shop from vendors include Axel Provisions seasonings and spices; Birch and Goldberry’s soaps, candles and paper; Pretti.Cool’s jewelry, accessories and furniture; and textiles from KD Weave. The market is open from 10 am to 4 pm. 550 Heights Blvd.; 713-880-8463

The Union Kitchen
Executive Chef James Lundy has prepared a special a la carte brunch (and dinner) menu for Mother’s Day with items such as crispy crab deviled eggs for $8, seafood crepes for $22 and a cinnamon churro waffle for $10. The restaurant recommends making reservations at the location of your choice. 4057 Bellaire Blvd., 713-661-0025; 6011 Washington Ave., 713-242-8151; 3452 Ella Blvd., 713-681-0022; 12538 Memorial Dr., 713-360-2000; 23918 US-59, 832-644-9067

Fresh offerings for mom at La Table.

La Table/Facebook

Fresh offerings for mom at La Table.

holidays brunch

cheers to that

Texas bourbon named one of 2024's top 10 whiskies

Still Austin Whiskey Co. Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey

Still Austin Whiskey Co./Facebook

Now if only we could snag a bottle...as a Christmas gift, of course.

Three cheers for Still Austin Whiskey Co.! The distillery's Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey was recognized as one of Whisky Advocate'sTop 20 Most Exciting Whiskies of 2024.

Every year, Whisky Advocate's expert panelists rank hundreds of whiskies based on their quality, availability, value for the price, and "X-factor," meaning an excitement-inducing component like a unique flavor or an innovative idea. An international panel also reviews contenders through several blind taste tests without knowing each whisky's producer, origin, age, or price.

The magazine ranked Still Austin's five-year Red Corn Bourbon No. 7 on the list with a prestigious score of 94 points. The Red Corn whiskey, which was released in June 2024, has mash bill consisting of 36 percent Jimmy Red corn, 34 percent white corn, 25 percent rye, and 5 percent barley.

According to panelist Shane English, tasting notes start big and bold with cracked pepper, dusty leather, and cocktail cherries, before moving on to a palate of chile pepper, caramel, and buttery cornbread.

"Each sip is electric — the pepper gives this whiskey a zing balanced by poundcake and glazed doughnuts," English said. "Charred oak fades to chocolate, coffee, and pecan pie on the finish."

Still Austin had the only Texas product on the list, which was fitting given the brand's recent boasting that it could match any Kentucky Bourbon. As a game day stunt when the Texas Longhorns played the Kentucky Wildcats in November, Still Austin refilled empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles with its own Cask Strength Bourbon for just $1.

When the brand isn't playfully antagonizing Kentucky fans, its Red Corn Bourbon sells for a retail price of $85 per 750-milliliter bottle, falling nearly in the middle of the price category out of all 20 bourbons on the list, with eight others priced for less.

For additional context, none of the top five bourbons fall under a $100 price tag. In fact, the most expensive bottle on the 2024 list is the Angel's Envy 2023 Cask Strength Port Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon, which ranked No. 12 and retails for $230 per bottle.

"Our top 20 whiskies represent a curated collection that deserves your attention. Each whisky on the list stands out for its superb taste, representing the pinnacle of a year filled with remarkable tastings," said executive editor David Fleming in a release. "This list features whiskies offering exceptional value, leaders in their respective styles, and superbly made expressions that are well worth seeking out."

Whiskey Advocate's 2024 Whiskey of the Year is Laphroaig Elements 2.0 Cask Strength Scotch Single Malt, which earned 95 points and retails for $165 a bottle.

whiskey bourbon distilleries awards lists